Even if you intend to keep some structure in your days, it's common for routines to break down in retirement. Understanding why they do can help you find ways to build some structure that best supports this new season of life.
For many people, the structure of each day and the week overall is dictated by a career. When it's time to step away from a long-term career, some people flounder a bit because they aren't used to filling a large chunk of their day outside of work.
Changes related to aging, including the fact that you might not be able to do as much in a day as you once did, can impact daily habits, as can chronic illnesses and other health issues. An injury or major illness may be harder to bounce back from when you're older. Some older adults may lose daily structure during these times and struggle to get it back.
Downsizing or moving can impact your day-to-day structure, and if you move away from your current community, it can take time to build back to having regular social engagements.
Some older adults take on new roles in their family or friend group when they retire, such as providing care for young children or helping their senior relatives. While these activities help to keep you mobile and social, they can upend your regular routines.
Simply having the flexibility of retirement and knowing you don't have to be anywhere at a certain time most days can lead to a relaxed approach to life that can create detrimental habits.
Knowing what positive impact you can get from implementing daily routines helps you prioritize them. Some benefits of daily routines during retirement include:
If you're loving retirement but want to be a bit more intentional about each day, here are some tips for creating a more established routine:
Track your progress in a journal. Consider writing down what you did each day and what you'd like to do tomorrow. Reviewing past journal entries can help you understand how far you've come or where you can better stick to desired routines.
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